EP Review: Persecutor - Persecutor (Thrash, 2020/2007)

Real thrash metal is timeless. But sure as it is it's not that easy to create and record this music genre properly. This underground EP by polish thrashers Persecutor suprised me with it's fine and outworked production as well as dedicated songwriting showing the solid skills of the band.

A shining thrash diamond has be re-issued in digital format these days.

Also it's first release dates back to 2007 it shows what a underground act with much engagement and heartblood can put out if they want to. While the start "Embryonic Lifeform" goes the typical rough way to hit the listener quick and hard the other tracks evolve. The songs go a midtempo route every here and there and the vocals given more time now show the full glow a dark voice can offer given it's place in the music. "Dogs Of War" is the best example for that.

"Dementia" shows the diversity the band has in themselves. The song structures change from part to part and are a shed of joy to listen to. "The Art Of Killing" closes the release with a slower edgy riffing songstructure and blasting parts.

These days's this little shing diamond has been re-issued the digital way on all streaming plattforms. Below you can find a direct link to listen to the music on Spotify. So sit back, relax and let this fine notes sink in to power you up once more. t just takes few minutes duration.

Fatal Opera to release final album after 20 years

Some bands are a bit legendary for me since they were using a sound formula not to be heard too often. It's like this with Fatal Opera, a band from the US that featured ex Megadeth drummer Gar Samuelson and his brother Stew Samuelson.

They had a jazz influenced way to set up the songs and the first album "Fatal Opera" to me personally also feels a bit as if Jimi Hendrix's feeling for exploring heavy guitar sounds mixed with various rhythm was continued by the band.

A old band picture of Fatal Opera, Photo Credit unknown after 20 years.

These days I'm surprised to learn that the band had a third album "Fatal Opera III" in the makings before Gar Samuelson died. Now 20 years later the results of these writing sessions are about to be released but in a special way with many upgrades and specials.

The street date for the LP has been announced to be Summer 2020 via Combat Records.

The album will include guest appearances from Megadeth’s Chris Poland and David Ellefson, who will appear on the track “The Raven”, which will mark the first time Poland, Ellefson and Samuelson have appeared on a track together since Megadeth’s seminal Peace Sells.. But Who’s Buying, as well as additional guest appearances from Poland, and New Yorkers bassist Robbie “Pags” Pagliari, marking the first time the original lineup of The New Yorkers (Poland and Samuelson’s pre-Megadeth Jazz/fusion project, also featuring guitarist Stew Samuelson) has appeared together on a commercial recording.

Also making a guest appearance on “The Raven” is Ellefson vocalist, and COMBAT Records A&R, Thom Hazaert.

Fatal Opera III, is the final chapter in the band’s legacy, featuring the final recordings of Samuelson, who passed away in 1999. Fatal Opera began work on a new album prior to Gar’s passing, and the tracks sat for almost 20 years, until they were finally revisited. Enough tracks were found to create Fatal Opera III, produced and mixed by Andy Freeman. The remaining members joined forces to finish the album that was started so many years ago, released in a fitting tribute and celebration to the legacy of Gar Samuelson, and Fatal Opera.

Vocalist Andy Freeman says, “It was a long time in the making, but it truly was a labor of love, putting together this final release. It was an honor and a privilege to work with David and Thom, who helped make this album possible, and getting Chris and David together with Gar once again brought the whole project full circle. We are very pleased that it will finally see the light of day, and hope that it will be an offering to our fans, and a fitting final musical tribute to Gar."

Megadeth bassist, and Combat Records owner, David Ellefson says, “Gar was one of the more unorthodox, unpredictable, and musically compelling drummers I've ever played with. His legacy continues to grow with the passage of time. So, it's an honor for me to have this posthumous performance with Gar, in honor of his incredible musicianship and legacy he left for us all to enjoy.”

Make sure to keep a eye on Combat Records Facebook page for further announcements of this release.

Raptore take us on board for a Night On Fire

This is oldschool heavy 'n' speed metal with a cool vibe and catchy chorus in it coming all the way from Argentina. The band takes a journey through the night and I like the way the video is done in a simple self-filming style. The cuts taken of a show at a small club with few light in it add to the 80s feeling this one strongly spreads around. Come and join the band on their way until the dawn breaks.

The whole album “Rage n' Fever” is held in this traditional way but with variations. There is room for Accept and early Scorpions influenced heavy metal, speedy elements of Exciter, vibe of 70s rock n roll, thrashy aggression and of course appeal of NWOBHM. While listening to it it's hard to believe that this one has been created and recorded in these times we're living in and not way back in the 70s or 80s.

The re-issued album contains two bonus tracks and can be heard at the Bandcamp page of their label Witches Brew. It comes with a cover version of Venom’s Witching Hour and Charger’s Desperadoes (a lost but underrated NWOBHM gem).

Make sure to tune in to their Facebook page to stay up to date.

Medevil stream full album for limited time only

If you've read my article about Medevil's video "Nightwalker" you probably know about the band's qualities. Don't worry if you missed it out. You're still in for a treat.

Photo Credit - Kevin Eisenlord,  L-R - Eric Wesa (Bass/Backup Vocals), Ross Collingwood (Drums), Liam Collingwood (Vocals), Gary Cordsen (Lead Guitar), Brett Gibbs (Rhythm Guitar)

A little dream has come true for me with this band. Medevil capture all the things I love so much about metal. They combine elements of the best oldschool bands like Metal Church when it comes to the riffs, add the songwriting abilities of Iron Maiden and put in vocals that Udo Dirkschneider couldn't have layed down better on tape.

I guess many of you out there that have heard and seen the video can't wait to hear the full thing. Happily we are in luck and I can share a stream of the full "Conductor of Storms" record as a stream right here. But seize the opportunity. It will be up for a limited time only (from Aug 26-Sept 9).



If you like what you hear you can order a copy of the album over at medevilmusic.com or catch the band on the road in Canada these days (and maybe pick up a copy of the CD directly at the show).

Tourdates

Aug 28 - Chilliwack, BC - Main Street Night Club
Sept 5 - Kelowna, BC - Muninn's Post
Sept 8 - Calgary, AB - Verns
Sept 9 - Edmonton, AB - DV8
Sept 10 - Calgary, AB - Overtime Sports Bar

I'm sure this is a band we're going to see and hear of a lot in the coming years. I hope for that. Make sure to follow them via Facebook or Twitter.

CD Review: Fallen Angels - World In Decay (2015)

A superb thrash metal album mixing up the heavyness of the old days while adding a lot of today's songwriting techniques to it. The feast is rounded out with catchy hooks and lasting melodies all packed in a modern production without sounding overloaded with too much noise or uncapeable song structures.

Short Introduction

Seattle, WA thrashers Fallen Angels, return in 2015 with their third studio release 'World In Decay' produced by Grammy winning metal producer/engineer Michael Rosen (Forbidden, Testament, Death Angel, Flotsam and Jetsam, Tesla, Vicious Rumors) to follow 2011's 'Engines of Oppression' and 2008 debut 'Rise From Ashes'. 

The cover for World In Decay, (c) by Fallen Angels, used with kind permission

Summary

A hammer of a album is coming down with this one. I've loved thrash for a long time now but never thought that something like this would come around to me one day. This album is for sure what you would would have expected to sound a record like back at the end of the 80s. But to me it's far more.

It's a album that is setting the mark for thrash in the years to come. Why? Simply because nearly all the boundaries of this genre have been set and explored to the full in my eyes. This band has a different way to attempt things. They don't just look back to the old times with respect but move on forwards from there adding modern production and catchy song structures but in a way that you won't recognize it on the first listen.

These elements are worked in so clever that you'll just come around this some time after the first listen. It's outworked very well and what I like most of all is the fact that it's not overproduced. Sure it's like people expect metal to sound like these days. But it doesn't distort just everything to the max and leave you in a haze of confusion about the all and everything what's coming there but makes sure that it's still possible to realize the song structures and techniques the band used to write the album. If you're into thrash do yourselves a favour and buy this record. You won't be able to spend the money on a better one.

Album overview

The album opens up typically fast with a neckbreaker like "The Hammers blow" with a catchy as hell chorus. Classic formula's dominate the next two tracks as well. The real uniqueness of World in decay comes into play starting from track four onwards. "Leading the blind" for example comes as a midtempo number which spreads a lot of fun while listening.

"Fire At Eden's Gate" is a cool number going straight forward yet has a kicking effect of the listener. "Into The Abyss" goes back to a classic format with it's typical thrash riffer but offering a wide range of variations in them. A great tune! "The Hour Of The Time" is a riff shooter with midtempo rhythm to it before a short instrumental leaves us with a big smile behind.


Player and purchase link

There are four full songs out there up for listening. They give a good insight into the album.
The full CD is available for 10 Dollar plus shipping and handling from the band's own webshop or make sure to pick up a digital copy from the same location for 7 Dollar. You can also pick up single songs there if you prefer to have selected tracks of the record.


Contact data

Finally make sure to keep a eye on all the further activities of the band checking regulary in to their website or marking their Facebook or Twitter account with your follow signature.

Band looking for vocalist

Fallen Angels are currently looking for a new singer. Brad Kennaugh who performed on the "World In Decay" album will stay until the band has found a new one. The band describes the conditions the new vocalist should be able to meet with these words on Facebook:

"(...) Looking for someone in the vein of Symphony X's Russell Allen / Testament's Chuck Billy. Someone who can do that Hetfield growl, YELL IN KEY and hopefully can sing in key as well.(...)"

You can use the links from above mentioned in the Contact data section to get in touch with the band if you think you've got what it takes.